Wells 5 – Burnham-on-Sea 29

Burnham-on-Sea Rugby Club came to Wells on Saturday having played 12 league matches and won 12.

They left having played 13 and won 13, but not before, what can only be called, an experimental Wells team, gave an excellent account of themselves.

For various reasons Wells were deprived of a number of first choice players and there were many strange faces in the line up.

There was also the pitch, thanks to the work of the groundsmen - it was passed fit, but only just, the referee giving sanction for the game to go ahead just half an hour before kick off.

Unfortunately for Wells, it was yet another early try conceded, just one-and-a-half minutes on the clock.

For virtually the first half an hour Wells hardly had a look in, although their pack more than held their own in the set piece and often made metres.

The seasiders scored two more tries, with one conversion before Wells actually got into the opposition 22.

With the scrum going well they forced numerous penalties and hammered away at the line.

It was only justice when Jordan Krause appeared from the bottom of a ruck of players and was awarded the try. Burnham 17, Wells 5, the half-time score.

It is fair to say that Wells gave an excellent account of themselves in the second half and dominated territory.

They were, however, undone by two long range tries, both when it seemed likely that Wells were going to score.

One started with a silly penalty which conceded excellent field position to put Burnham in an attacking position from which to score.

The second, Wells were hammering at the opposition try line, lost possession and the speedy opposition backs struck like a cobra. Try under the posts, seven points.

There was no way back for Wells, but as the pitch deteriorated, they battled away to the delight of the large crowd many of whom had enjoyed a Christmas lunch sponsored by Phil Lloyd and Chris Brown.

This Saturday sees the commencement of the second half of the season when Wells travel to Bristol to take on Imperial.